New Delhi: The Delhi Government is rapidly scaling up its electric bus revolution. In this vein, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal flagged off 97 high-tech electric buses from the Rajghat Depot today. The CM also announced that 8,000 e-buses are in the pipeline to arrive by 2025 and by November 2023, Delhi will have the highest number of e-buses in India with 1,800 e-buses.

CM Arvind Kejriwal stated, “We are phasing out old-polluting buses and replacing them with electric buses. We have developed world-class education and healthcare models in Delhi; it is now time to transform Delhi’s transport sector into a model for the world to reckon with. Many countries have very modern transport systems. We will take a page out of their book and develop the most effective and efficient transport model in Delhi. 153 e-buses are already plying on the roads of Delhi, our new fleet of 97 will take the number to 250; 50 more to be added by September. By November 2023, 1500 more electric buses will be acquired to take the number of e-buses to 1800; Delhi will soon boast of the highest number of electric buses in any Indian city. By the end of 2025, the number of buses in Delhi will increase to 10,380 of which about 80 percent (8180) will be electric buses. At present, 7,373 buses are running in Delhi including DTC and Cluster buses, this is the highest number of buses in the fleet of the Transport Department in the history of Delhi. Charging stations have been established in three depots, by 2023, 55 depots will be electrified and by 2025, 18 thousand charging points will be ready in Delhi. 11 women have been inducted as bus drivers in Delhi, in the coming times, 200 more women will be trained and inducted for the role.” At the same time, Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot said, “At present, the share of electric buses in the public transport fleet is 34 percent, by 2025, and after the arrival of 7,930 the share of electric buses will increase to 80 percent.”

1 bus will need only 42 minutes to go from zero to full charge

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal dedicated 97 electric buses to the people of Delhi today. These electric buses were formally inducted into Delhi’s public bus fleet at a ceremony held at Rajghat Depot-II today. The event began with the inauguration of bus charging stations by the Chief Minister in presence of Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot. On this occasion, CM Arvind Kejriwal took stock of the whole charging system and understood how the buses will be charged at the depots. He went ahead to place the nozzle and charge a bus himself. The experts present at the site told him that with the latest technology in place, 1 bus will need only 42 minutes to go from zero to full charge. He also got on one of the new electric buses and inspected all the facilities provided in the buses. Following this, the CM flagged off the new electric buses as they set off for their first journey.

Confident that like the world looks at us for education and healthcare models, we’ll be a world leader with a transport model too: CM Arvind Kejriwal

Arvind Kejriwal said, “We are adding 97 more electric buses to Delhi’s fleet today. As of date there are 153 buses plying on the roads. This takes the total to 250 from today. 50 more electric buses will join the fleet in September. By 30th September there will be 300 buses on the roads of Delhi. Old buses are now being replaced by new and modern electric buses loaded with all features possible. We’re in the process of acquiring another 1,500 e-buses, we expect them to come by November 2023. So by the next year-end we will boast a tally of 1,800 e-buses. Post that, the pace of this ebus revolution will accelerate even further. By 2025 end, we will add 6,380 more e-buses to our fleet. Delhi’s bus fleet will cross the 10,000 mark with this. And we will boast an 80% electric bus fleet. With over 8,000 e-buses Delhi will become the city with the most e-buses in the country.”

He added, “Today, there are 7,373 buses plying in Delhi. This is an unprecedented fact in itself. There were never so many buses in Delhi. Electrification of our bus depots is also going on rapidly to support the revolution with charging infrastructure. 55 bus depots are in the line to get electric charging stations. 3 depots are already electrified, 17 more to be electrified by June 2023 and all 55 by December 2023. We strive to develop a unique model of transport in Delhi. Just as we’ve done in education and healthcare, we’re transforming the transport sector for the world to reckon with. Many countries have very modern transport systems. We are taking a page out of all the best practices followed in the world, developing our own and I am confident that like the world looks at us for education and healthcare models, we’ll be a world leader with a transport model too.”

CM Arvind Kejriwal continued, “Yesterday, 11 women bus drivers joined our team after receiving bus driving training at our institute. I congratulate all of them. I am personally very delighted to see our sisters take charge of the wheels of Delhi. In the coming times, 200 more women will be trained as bus drivers and join us very soon.”

We are committed to make Delhi’s public transport highly reliable and pollution free for all citizens of Delhi: Kailash Gahlot

Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot said, “Under the visionary leadership of Arvind Kejriwal, the public transport in Delhi has achieved a significant milestone today. With today’s induction of 97 electric buses, Delhi now has 250 electric buses which makes 3.4% of total buses in the public transportation fleet. Delhi will add 7,930 more electric buses on Delhi’s roads taking this share to 80% by 2025. We are committed to make Delhi’s public transport highly reliable and pollution free for all citizens of Delhi.”

Detailed data on Delhi’s electric bus infrastructure

DTC is already operating 153 low-floor electric buses under its fleet and today’s induction will take the number of total electric buses to 250. Further 50 more electric buses will be inducted by September 2022 making the total number of electric buses to 300.

DTC has also awarded a contract of 1500 low floor zero emission electric buses that will be inducted to its transportation fleet by November 2023. It will take the total number of electric buses under its fleet to 1800, one of highest among all Indian states. Delhi will further see rapid induction of electric buses in its city transportation fleet. 6380 additional electric buses will be procured by the government by 2025.

By the end of 2025, total bus fleet size would be 10,380, which will comprise 8180 electric buses, approximately 80% of the total fleet size. Delhi currently has 7,373 buses (CNG and Electric combined) under its city bus transportation fleet. It is the highest number of buses ever existed within city bus transportation. This includes 4,064 buses being operated under Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and 3,309 buses being operated under DIMTS (Delhi Integrated Multimodal Transit Systems). DTC is already operating 153 low-floor electric buses under its fleet.

Delhi Government is also undertaking rapid electrification of bus depots for housing these buses. The electrification of 55 bus depots has been targeted. 3 of these depots are already electrified, 17 more to be electrified by June 2023 and 35 by December 2023. The Rajghat Depot will house 50 electric buses out of 97 being flagged off today. A total of 16 high speed chargers will be set up there of which 10 are already live.

All Delhi buses offer following features to ensure passenger:

-Accessible – Fully differently abled – AC Low Floor Buses
-Affordable – Free ticket for women, passes
-Sustainable – CNG/Electric-Zero smoke, zero noise- fully BS VI Compliant
-Smart- All buses GPS Enabled-Digital ticketing, Contactless ticketing
-Safe- CCTV, Panic Buttons, Hooters all connected to a 2-way Centralised Command and control centre